Being featured on the JumboTron in front of thousands of people at the Barclays Center wasn’t originally on CIANA’s list for 2024. But that’s exactly what happened on September 15, when CIANA was honored as the New York Liberty’s Nonprofit of the Game.
As we announced back in July, CIANA was one of several nonprofits honored over the course of the 2024 women’s basketball season. A portion of ticket sales for the September 15 game were donated to CIANA. Clients, friends, and supporters- both new and returning- joined us for an afternoon of support for immigrants and asylum seekers.
Before tip-off, several members of the CIANA team, including Founder and CEO Emira Habiby Browne and Board Chair Derek Sam, were invited onto the court, where the announcer told the audience about the work CIANA does for immigrant community members. Watch the full video below:
During the game, CIANA’s staff, interns, and volunteers set up a table in the Barclays Center concourse, speaking with attendees to raise awareness of CIANA’s work and funds to support it. Council Member Tiffany Cabán, who represents Astoria in the City Council, happened to be in attendance, and stopped by CIANA’s table to show her support.
Although the Liberty lost the game to the Minnesota Lynx, they faced them again in the WNBA Finals, where they won their first ever championship. The Liberty's historic win was celebrated by a ticker tape parade in Lower Manhattan on October 24.
We know from the results of the presidential election that public support for immigrants and asylum seekers has declined. This is what makes public acknowledgements like the NY Liberty game so important- they remind the public that much of the rhetoric surrounding migrants is untrue, and that supporting vulnerable new immigrants makes our whole community stronger.
We want to thank the New York Liberty for supporting the integration of new Americans, and for giving CIANA one of its most memorable moments of 2024.
If you couldn't make it to the New York Liberty game, you can still support CIANA and our immigrant families, especially as we approach challenging times ahead in 2025.
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